Door County Community News: Escape from Assumption Island

Frederick ‘Doc’ Heide will teach a one-day class at The Clearing on Thursday, October 23. The class is titled Escape from Assumption Island: Contemporary Cognitive and Behavioral Methods for Personal Change.

Heide’s class will present an overview of theory and methods for personal psychological change that have been developed over the past few decades by the cognitive-behavioral movement, the largest and most influential professional psychotherapeutic approach in America. Two major methods will be explored: Aaron Beck’s groundbreaking “cognitive therapy,” which challenges maladaptive beliefs with evidence; and Steven Hayes’ “acceptance and commitment therapy,” which encourages mindful distancing from maladaptive thoughts and a focus on value-based action. Participants will engage in short exercises and dialogs designed to illustrate basic principles of these approaches. The class is not intended to be “therapy,” but rather an introduction to validated methods that have proven to be useful for dealing with a range of psychological problems.

Heide is an associate professor at Alliant International University in San Francisco. He has published in the Journal of Consulting, Clinical Psychology, and elsewhere. He is best known locally as co-founder and performer with American Folklore Theatre, where he co-authored Belgians in Heaven, Packer Fans from Outer Space and many others.

For information on other fall Clearing one and two-day workshops, call 920.854.4088 or 877.854.3225 (toll-free) or http://www.theclearing.org. Class runs from 9 am – 4 pm. The price is $90 and includes a catered lunch.